Deserving Teachers, Schools and States have been given excellence awards in various categories by the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria as part of activities commemorating the 2023 World Teachers.
The Minister of Education, Professor Maman Tahir said the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award was integrated into the Annual World Teachers Day commemoration to reward excellence nationwide by appreciating School administrators, effective Schools, and teachers nationwide.
Thirty-three teachers and schools across the country won various categories of the awards with Saint Paul’s Academy, Jos Plateau State northern Nigeria emerging as the overall winner and being presented with an 18-seater JAC Bus.
Similarly, Adeyemi Elizabeth from Ekiti State Southwest Nigeria emerged as the best overall teacher in the public school category with a grand prize of a 305 Peugeot Car.
The two awards were presented to the winners by the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kassim Shetima at Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of the event.
Kebi and Kaduna states won the most education practical and most education-friendly states awards respectively.
Items presented to other winners include buses, Cars, Motor Cycles, Freezers, Generators, and Trophies.
The Minister urged the teachers to appreciate the gestures being extended by the government.
He said; “As we celebrate teachers today, there is a need for teachers in Nigeria to be appreciative of efforts by the Federal Government to reposition the teaching profession.”
On the theme of World Teachers Day, “The Teacher We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Trend to Reverse the Teacher Shortage,” the Minister said there was a need to reflect on the impediments that teachers encounter while instilling knowledge, values, and hope in schools and the society since teaching goes beyond the classroom.
We have to re-evaluate our approach to teacher training, recruitment, welfare and equip teachers with the skills, resources and the recognition they deserve to meet the evolving demands of education in the 21st century.
“It is, therefore, paramount that while reaffirming the importance of their invaluable role in shaping a brighter tomorrow every year, there is dire need to clear the hurdles that prevents the optimal realisation of their roles and targets.”
The Minister enumerated some of the efforts being made the government to clear the hurdles be in faced by the teachers to include training, welfare and career progression arrangements.
He said; “Teachers in Nigeria can now retire at either 65 years of age or 40 years of service whichever that comes first and their salary has since been placed on the line charge for timely payment.
“Students studying Education courses in the country’s public universities and colleges of education enjoy bursary award.”
Serving teachers can also access housing, insurance, special allowances and the option of migrating to other countries especially United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South Africa, if endorsed by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN.
The Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu urged teachers to be innovative, especially in the areas of Technology to meet emerging trends in teaching in order to impart quality education on our children.
He also called on Non- non-governmental organizations to collaborate as well as partner with schools to alleviate some of their challenges as the government alone can not do it.
The National President of of The National Union of Teachers, Audu Amba acknowledged the shortage of teachers especially at the basic school levels as old ones retire, more migrate outside the country for greener pastures and inadequate funding.calling for declaration of state of emergency in the sector.
He enjoined teachers on their part to embrace technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their teaching skills.
The event was marked with cultural dances and match pass by representatives from all the 36 states of the federation including the FCT. The match pass was won by Nassarawa state.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
